Woman is accused of two false rape claims

Woman has been accused of falsely reporting to gardai that a man raped her at a pub in Temple Bar.

A WOMAN has been accused of falsely reporting to gardai that a man raped her at a pub in Temple Bar.

Sarah Eastwood (33) made the allegation against a named man, but gardai subsequently viewed CCTV footage and "disproved" the claim, a court was told.

She is facing jury trial on two charges after Judge Michael Walsh said the case was too serious to be dealt with at Dublin District Court.

The case against Ms Eastwood was adjourned for the preparation of a book of evidence.

The accused, with an address at Ballyfermot Parade, Ballyfermot, is charged with knowingly making a false statement at Store Street Garda Station on June 4, 2013.

The charge states that she alleged she was raped by a named man at a pub in Temple Bar on June 3, 2013.

Ms Eastwood is further charged with making a false statement to gardai at Pearse Street Garda Station on August 12, 2014 that she was raped by an unknown male while walking through a laneway on June 4 that year.

The charges are both under Section 12 of the Criminal Law Act 1976.

Garda Joanne McCormack told the court the DPP was consenting to summary trial of the case in the district court.

She said an allegation was made to the effect that Ms Eastwood was raped by a named male at a named public house in Temple Bar.

Garda McCormack said that after the accused made her statement, a garda investigation was set up and on viewing the CCTV evidence, gardai "disproved the allegation".

Judge Walsh said he refused jurisdiction. This means the case will be sent forward for trial to Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.

He adjourned the case to a date in June for the preparation of a book of evidence.

Judge Walsh granted bail on condition that Ms Eastwood stays away from the alleged victim and all witnesses in the case.